Knife Locking Systems

ABSTRACT

A knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising a housing containing a plurality of cavities, a plurality of lockable cases, and a plurality of pivoting means. The lockable case and pivoting means are coupled together and are located within the cavity of housing for lockably storing a knife or set of knives. The pivoting means comprises a compressible spring, a pin, and extensions. The pivoting means and compressible spring work simultaneously when a knife is inserted or withdrawn from the lockable sheath. The lockable case further comprises a peg and extensions. The peg restricts the sheath from moving while in the locked position. The extensions work with the pivoting means and permit the lockable case to pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees. The lockable sheath(s) are capable of being positioned within the enclosure in a diagonal or parallel relation to one another or in various combinations of diagonal and parallel orientations. The enclosure may further comprise a stay where the stay may or may not be integral with the enclosure.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This application is a non-provisional of, and claims the benefit of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional application No. 6,125,0221 filed on Oct.9, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of knives, and morespecifically, relates to a knife block having multiple enclosurescapable of securing a knife.

2. Description of the Related Art

Knives used for boning, carving, and cutting of meat, vegetables, andother comestibles may be used and stored in modern kitchens. A typicalknife comprises the following parts: a point, a tip, an edge, a heel, aspine, a bolster, a finger guard, a return, a tang, scales, rivets,handle, guard, and the tip. Kitchen knives are used in preparing foodfor human consumption and are typically stored in sheaths, drawers orblocks for ease of access by cooks and other users. Dangers of thesecurrent storage schemes may include knives poking or piercing the handof a cook when rifling through a cutlery drawer looking for theappropriate knife, when a block is tipped over, or when a knife isaccidentally dislodged from its sheath. Moreover, standard knife blocksdo not prevent the knives from spilling out if the block is knocked overor upended. Children are often able to reach into drawers or remove aknife from a block sometimes without even being able to see the knivesand can be seriously injured. Knives stored in blocks on a kitchencounter, can easily be upended or accidentally knocked over, thusspilling the knives and increasing the risk of serious injury.

Various attempts have been made to provide a safe means of protectingusers of knives via storage means. There are a variety of knife storagesystems available on the market. These range from individual sheaths towooden blocks with cut-outs into which the knife is inserted. Thesesolutions do not provide an adequate means for preventing the injuriesdiscussed above.

For example, many knife storage blocks are simply blocks of wood orother materials with cut-outs to slide a knife in to. There is norestraint; a knife stays in the block by gravity alone and will slip outof the block is accidentally knocked over. Some attempts to secure aknife in a storage system such as a block can require a notched blade ona knife to operate a locking mechanism. This requires the user topurchase specially designed knives that can only be secured with thatparticular system. Further, the knives are not capable of beingindividually locked; if a user wants to unlock one knife, he or she mustunlock all of the knives. Therefore, once one knife is unlocked, allknives are unlocked. This does not overcome the dangers related tospilling as discussed above. This type of system also requires two handsto lock or unlock the system which can be cumbersome and furtherincreases the chance for injury.

Other attempts to secure a knife involve securing an individual knife ina sheath. While these systems do provide some security, they can also becumbersome to use because the user must still use two hands Further, notall sheaths contain a locking mechanism, and for those that do, thelocking mechanism in or on the sheath can wear down with repeated use.This can make it more difficult to remove the knife over time and at thesame time increase the chance for injury as more force is needed toremove the knife. Additionally, these sheaths do not permit the user tostore her knives in a single location (such as a block) and must bestored in a drawer. Chance for injury still remains if, for example, aknife is not inserted into the sheath properly or slips out without theuser knowing it. Injuries can result as the user unknowingly riflesthrough a cutlery drawer filled with unsheathed knives.

Ideally, a locking knife block system should operate reliably as a safestorage means for knives, and be manufactured at a modest expense. Aneed exists for a reliable, safe, universal locking knife block systemthat permits the user to efficiently unlock a single knife thusmitigating injury and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. What isalso needed is a locking knife storage system which safely stores theknives, prevents their accidental removal, and is capable of securelystoring multiple knives of varying types and sizes in one location. Alsoneeded is a knife storage system whereby the user is capable of safelyinserting and removing a knife using only one hand. The currentinvention overcomes the problems with current knife storage systems inseveral ways.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention broadly provides a securehousing mechanism and locking arrangement for safe and secure removaland insertion of the individual knives of varying sizes as members of aset of knives. A knife locking system is disclosed herein comprising anenclosure with a plurality of cavities, at least one lockable case, astay, and at least one pivoting means. The lockable case and pivotingmeans are coupled together and are located within cavity 106 of housing104 for lockably storing a knife or set of knives. The pivoting meanscomprises a compressible spring and pin. The pin and compressible springwork simultaneously when a knife is inserted or withdrawn from thelockable case. The knife locking system further comprises a peg. The pegrestricts the case from pivoting while in the locked position. Thepivoting means permits the lockable case to pivot through an angle lessthan about 45 degrees. The lockable case(s) are capable of beingpositioned within the enclosure in a diagonal or parallel relation toone another or in various combinations of diagonal and parallelorientations. The enclosure may further comprise a stay where the staymay or may not be integral with the enclosure. The stay may beperpendicular to the lockable case and works in conjunction with the pegto lockably store the individual members of a set of knives.

A method of storing a knife in a knife locking system is disclosedherein comprising the steps of: inserting a knife into a sheath within alockable case enclosed within a cavity; depressing a compressiblespring; pivoting the lockable case within the enclosure; and allowingthe compressible spring to go back into tension thereby creating alocking relationship between the lockable case and the housing. Thelocking relationship within the method of storing may comprise a peg anda stay. The compressible spring may be depressed allowing the peg tomove under and then behind the stay thereby creating a lockingrelationship between the components. Unlocking the knife may comprisedepressing the compressible spring, pivoting the lockable case to movethe peg under and then in front of the stay thereby allowing the knifeto be removed. The spring returns to a state of tension.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as aknife storage and locking system. These and other features, aspects, andadvantages of the present invention will become better understood withreference to the following drawings and description, which are given byway of example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating knife locking system 100according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective side view of lockable case 200 within cavity106 of knife locking system 100 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3, consisting of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, illustrates an exploded viewof pivoting means 300 by which lockable case 200 functions within knifelocking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present inventionof FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates shield 400 and lockable case 200 in locked position310 and unlocked position 320 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective top view illustrating the relativepositioning of lockable sheath 200 in locked position 230 and unlockedposition 240, according to an embodiment of the present invention ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows flowchart of a method of use 600 for knife locking system100, according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein likedesignations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, showing a perspective view illustrating knifelocking system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.Knife locking system 100 comprises housing 104; stay 130; cavity 106;and at least one lockable case 200 for lockably storing at least oneknife 110.

Housing 104 may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals,composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials.Housing 104 further comprises a plurality of cavity 106. Cavity 106 maybe of any dimension sufficient to house a plurality of lockable case200. Lockable case 200 further comprises sheath 215. It should beunderstood that sheath 215 is within lockable case and may be theportion of lockable case 200 that knife 110 is inserted to. Sheath 215may be of any size sufficient to contain a standard kitchen knife of anytype. By way of example, a standard set of kitchen knives may include abutcher knife, a paring knife, a bread knife, a vegetable knife, and aset of steak knives. It should be understood that sheath 215 may beconfigured to contain, but is not limited to the dimensions to any ofthe aforementioned knives Knife 110 may be inserted into sheath 210substantially enclosing knife 110 within lockable case 120. In thismanner, knife locking system 100 is capable of storing and locking anyknife or set of knives as selected by the user.

Lockable case 200 may similarly be of any size sufficient to containvarying sizes and types of knife 110 as contained by sheath 215. Itshould be understood that sheath 215 is of sufficient size to containthe user-selected knife, but the dimensions do not have to conformexactly to the dimensions of the knife. In other words, knife 110 is notrequired to fit snugly within sheath 215. It is sufficient if the knifefits inside the sheath; any extra space created by a sheath that islarger than a knife will not affect the functionality of knife lockingsystem 100. It should also be understood that housing 104 is of asufficient size and shape to permit storing any number and size ofcavity 106 and/or lockable sheath 200 according to the user's needs. Inthis manner, knife locking system 100 can, but is not limited to,storing one particular type or size of knife 110. In this manner, and byway of example, a paring knife may easily be stored along side of andwith a set of steak knives, butcher knives, or any other type andcombination of knives For example, a standard set of kitchen knives caninclude a combination of different types and sizes of knives.

As discussed above, cavity 106 is of a sufficient volume to receive atleast one lockable case 200. In this manner, cavity 106 functions tocontain lockable case 200 and permit movement of the same from lockedposition 240 to unlocked position 230 and vice versa (shown anddiscussed in FIGS. 2-5). Lockable case 200 may be secured within cavity106 in any manner sufficient to accomplish a secured fit within cavity106 such as molding, nails, adhesives, friction fit, or any other meanssufficient to accomplish such purpose.

Knife locking system 100 further comprises at least one stay 130. Stay130 may be positioned directly over one end of lockable case 200 asshown. Further, stay 130 may be attached to the surface of housing 104via brads, nails, adhesives, screws, rivets, or any other suitableattaching means. Stay 130 may be comprised of wood, plastics, metalsand/or metal alloys, or any material sufficient to secure knife 110within lockable case 200. When lockable case 200 is in locked position230, stay 130 is positioned directly over the area between the handleand finger guard of knife 110 (further discussed in FIGS. 2-5). Finally,Stay 130 may be integral or non-integral with housing 104 as also shownand discussed in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Further, housing 104 may compromise a plurality of cavity 106 andlockable case 200 of different heights as shown. In this manner, knife110 may be inserted or removed from its lockable case 200 withoutinterfering with the remaining plurality of lockable case 200 whenstored within housing 104 of knife locking system 100. It should beunderstood that cavity 106 may be structured so as to be perpendicularrelative to a substrate (such as a counter top) or at an angle relativeto the substrate (as depicted in FIG. 1) depending on user preference.

Referring now to FIG. 2, showing a perspective side view of lockablecase 200 within cavity 106 of knife locking system 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Lockable case 200comprises end 205; sheath 210 (shown in FIG. 1); sheath extension 215,at least one peg 220; pivoting means 300 (shown and discussed in FIG.3); and at least one shield 400 (discussed in FIG. 4).

End 205 (shown and discussed in further detail in FIG. 3) may be locatedat the bottommost portion of lockable case 200 and serves the purpose ofproviding support for sheath 210. Further, end 205 may comprise wood,ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble,and other such suitable materials for providing support to a knife.

Lockable case 200 further comprises sheath extension 215 (discussed infurther detail in FIG. 3) may be positioned directly beneath end 205 asshown. Sheath extension 215 further comprises first aperture 250 (shownand discussed in further detail in FIG. 3). Further, sheath extension215 may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metals, composites,alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitable materials.

Lockable case 200 is shown in locked position 230 wherein sheath 210 isat a substantially perpendicular relationship to the base of housing 104such that the handle of knife 110 (not shown) is similarly perpendicularto base of housing 104. In locked position 230, peg 220 rests againststay 130. In this manner, sheath extension 215 works in conjunction withsecond extension 340 to attach lockable case 200 to second extension 340of pivoting means 300 (as discussed in FIG. 3).

Lockable case 200 is also shown in unlocked position 240 wherein sheath210 is at a substantially angular relationship such as, for example,approximately 45 degrees to the base of housing 104 such that the handleof knife 110 (not shown) is similarly at an angle, such as, for example,approximately 45 degrees, to the substrate as shown. In unlockedposition 230, peg 220 may be behind stay 130 as shown. Locked position230 and unlocked position 240 are also shown and discussed in FIGS. 4and 5. Peg 220 may comprise a bar, dowel, or any other means suitablefor restraining movement of lockable case 200. Peg 220 may be made ofwood, ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal, marble, plastic, ceramic, or anyother suitable material. When in locked position 230, peg 220substantially prevents lockable case 200 from rotating about centerlineaxis of pivoting means 300.

Referring now to FIG. 3, consisting of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C,illustrating an exploded view of pivoting means 300 by which lockablecase 200 functions within knife locking system 100 according to anembodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2. Pivoting means 300further comprises spring 310, plate 320, pin 330, and second extension340. Pivoting means 300 may comprise wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrousmetals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other such suitablematerials. Further, pivoting means 300 may be secured within cavity 106by brads, nails, screws, rivets, adhesives, or any other suitableattaching means.

As mentioned above, pivoting means 300 may comprise plate 320. Plate 320serves the purpose of providing a flat surface to support secondextension 340. As mentioned in FIG. 2, lockable case 200 furthercomprises end 205. End 205 may be located at the bottommost portion oflockable case 200 and serves the purpose of providing support for sheath210. Further mentioned in FIG. 2, sheath extension 215 may be positioneddirectly beneath end 205. Plate 320 may be coupled to spring 310 and end205. In this manner, sheath extension 215 and second extension 240 maybe situated between plate 320 and end 205 as shown. Sheath extension 215works in conjunction with second extension 340 to attach lockable case200 to second extension 340 of pivoting means 300. End 205 may beaffixed to sheath extension 215 via brads, nails, rivets, screws,molding, adhesives, or any other material suitable for such purpose.Plate 320 may be connected to spring 310 via brads, rivets, nails,adhesives, molding, or any other suitable means. Further, plate 320 maybe connected to end 205 via brads, rivets, nails, adhesives, molding, orany other suitable means. Finally, plate 320 may comprise wood, ferrousand/or non-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, andother such suitable materials.

As mentioned above, pivoting means 300 further comprises secondextension 340. Second extension 340 may be positioned directly aboveplate 320 as shown. Further, second extension 340 may be attached toplate 320 by molding, adhesives, or any other material suitable for suchpurpose. Second extension 340 may further comprise at least twoidentical protrusion 350. Protrusion 350 (shown in FIG. 3C) furthercomprises second aperture 345. Second extension 340 further comprises atleast one protrusion 350. As shown in FIG. 3, second extension comprisestwo protrusion 350. It should be understood that the present inventioncontemplates at least one protrusion 350. Second extension 340 mayfunction to surround sheath extension 215 as shown. In this manner,sheath extension 215 may operate as a female end and second extension340 may operate as a male end. In an alternative embodiment, sheathextension 215 may be comprised of protrusion 350. In this manner, sheathextension 215 may operate as a male end and second extension 340 mayoperate as a female end.

Sheath extension 215 further comprises first aperture 250. Similarly,second extension 340 further comprises second aperture. The diameter andplacement of first aperture 250 of sheath extension 215 and the diameterand placement of second aperture 345 of second extension 340 arecomplementary, meaning that when sheath extension 215 is positioned inor over or around protrusion 350 of second extension 340, first aperture250 and second aperture 345 will line up exactly.

Pivoting means 300 may further comprise pin 330. Pin 330 may comprisebrads, nails, screws, rivets, or any other suitable attaching meanssuitable to permit it to function as a coupling means between sheathextension 215 and second extension 340. In this manner, pin 330 may beinserted through first aperture 250 and second aperture 345 andfunctions as the means by which pivoting means 300 allows lockable case200 to be moved along an axis from locked position 230 to unlockedposition 240. Pin 330 may Further, pin 330 comprise wood, ferrous and/ornon-ferrous metals, composites, alloys, plastics, marble, and other suchsuitable materials.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective side view of pivoting means 300 in unlockedposition 240, according to an embodiment of the present invention ofFIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly, FIG. 3B shows a perspective side view ofpivoting means 300 in locked position 230 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention of FIGS. 1 and 2. When the user wishes to insertand lock knife 110 (not shown) into lockable case 200, he or she maygrasp the handle of knife 110, insert knife 110 into sheath 210 withinlockable case 200 and apply pressure in a downward motion to compressspring 310. Once spring 310 is compressed, peg 220 is at a height lowerthan stay 130. The user may then maintain the downward pressure and movelockable case 200 toward the user so that peg 220 is now in front ofstay 130 and lockable case 200 is resting against the front end ofcavity 106. In locked position 310 the bottom edge of lockable case 120comprises an angle parallel to the base of housing 104. In thisposition, knife 110 may be substantially resting beneath stay 130, whichmay be positioned directly over the area between the bolster and fingerguard of knife 110.

When the user wishes to unlock lockable case 200, he or she may graspthe handle of knife 110 (not shown) and apply pressure in a downwardmotion to compress spring 310. Once spring 310 is compressed, peg 220 isat a height lower than stay 130. The user may then maintain the downwardpressure and move lockable case 200 away from the user so that peg 220is now behind stay 130 and lockable case 200 is resting against theopposite end of cavity 106. Similarly, when the user wishes to locklockable case 200, he or she may grasp the handle of knife 110 (notshown) and apply pressure in a downward motion to compress spring 310.The user may then maintain the downward pressure and move lockable case200 toward the user so that peg 220 is now moved from behind stay 130,passing underneath stay 130 and coming to rest in front of peg 220. Inthis manner, the spine and bolster of knife 110 (as enclosed by sheath210 of lockable case 200) provides the mechanism by which sheath 210 oflockable case 200 is pivoted within cavity 106 via pivoting means 300.

When spring 310 is compressed, lockable case 200 within knife lockingsystem 100 comprises unlocked position 240. When lockable case 200 is inunlocked position 240, the front portion of sheath 210 rests against oneside of cavity 106. Lockable case 200 is shown pivoted so that lockablecase 200 is moved away from the user's body, however, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments of knife locking system 100, knifelocking system may be configured such that the user may pull the knifetoward her (as opposed to away) to place lockable case 200 in unlockedposition 230. In this manner, lockable case 200 may move from lockedposition 310 to unlocked position 320.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrating shield 400 and lockable case 200in locked position 230 and unlocked position 240 according to anembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. As discussed above,lockable case 200 further comprises at least one shield 400. Shield 400may be affixed to lockable case 200 as shown. In an alternativeembodiment, shield 400 may be an integral part of housing 104. Shieldmay be affixed to lockable case 200 or to housing 104 via brads, nails,adhesives, screws, or any other suitable attaching means. Further,shield 400 may comprise plastic, rubber, or any other suitableelastomeric or pliant material sufficient to allow shield 400 to conformto the gap between lockable case 200 and cavity 106.

Shield 400 may be attached to the front or back portion of sheath 210,or both, as shown. Further, shield 400 may be sufficient in size tocover the gap between lockable case 200 and cavity 106 that is createdwhen lockable case 200 is in unlocked position 240 or locked position230. In this manner, food and other debris are thereby prevented fromentering cavity 106 within an embodiment of the present invention. Whenthe user moves lockable case 200 from locked position 230 to unlockedposition 240 and vice versa, shield 400 moves with lockable case 200 toform a protective barrier as shown in dotted lines. In this manner, whenlockable case 200 is moved from unlocked position 230 to locked position240 and vice versa, shield 400 occupies the space between lockable case200 and cavity 106 as shown.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a perspective top view illustrating therelative positioning of lockable sheath 200 in locked position 230 andunlocked position 240, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1. Peg 220 may be affixed to lockable case 200 as alsoshown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In an alternative embodiment, peg 220 may be anappendage of housing 104. Peg 220 may comprise a bar, dowel, nail, brad,or any other means suitable for restraining movement of lockable case120. Further, peg 220 may be made of wood, ferrous and/or non-ferrousmetal, marble, plastic, ceramic, or any other suitable material. Asdiscussed above, when in locked position 230, peg 220 substantiallyprevents lockable case 200 from rotating about centerline axis ofpivoting means 300. In this manner, lockable case 200 may move fromlocked position 230 to unlocked position 240.

When knife 110 is inserted into sheath 210 such that finger guard 405and handle 410 are the only visible portions of knife 110. When lockablecase 200 is moved from locked position 230 to unlocked position 240,shield 400 operates to cover the resulting open space of cavity 106. Inlocked position 230, finger guard 405 is substantially underneath stay130 and peg 220 is in front of stay 130 as shown. In locked position230, lockable case 200 is positioned so that lockable case 200 is in aposition within housing 104 closest to the user as shown. In unlockedposition 240, finger guard 405 and handle 410 of knife 110 are no longerbeneath stay 130. Further, in unlocked position 240, lockable case 200is positioned so that lockable case 200 is in a position in housing 104further away from the user as shown. Peg 220 is no longer in front ofstay 130 as shown. In unlocked position 240, stay 130 may be positioneddirectly over the area between finger guard 405 and handle 410 of knife110. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, unlockedposition 240 may be in housing 104 in the position closest to the userand locked position 230 may be in housing 104 in the position furthestfrom the user.

Referring now to FIG. 6 showing a flowchart of a method of use 600 forknife locking system 100, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1. Method of use 600 of storing a knife in a knifelocking system may comprise the following steps: step 601 inserting aknife into a sheath within lockable case; step 602 depressing acompressible spring; step 603 pivoting the sheath within the enclosure;and step 604 allowing the compressible spring to return to a tensionstate thereby creating a locking relationship between the lockable caseand the enclosure.

The insertion step may further comprise step 605 depressing the lockablecase thereby compressing the spring and pivoting the lockable case aboutthe centerline axis. The rotation comprises about 45 degrees from theunlocked to the locked position. Insertion is completed by step 606releasing the pressure on the lockable case thereby allowing the knifeto rest under the stay and the peg behind the stay. Step 607 may includeunlocking which comprises depressing the compressible spring, rotatingthe pivotor to move the peg under then in front of the stay andreleasing the pressure thereby allowing the knife to be removed.

It should be noted that optional steps 605-607 may not be implemented inall cases. Optional steps of method 600 are illustrated using dottedlines in FIG.6 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method600.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can becarried out in many different orders according to user preference. Uponreading this specification, it should be appreciated that, underappropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference,user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements,available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of usearrangements such as, for example, different orders withinabove-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps,including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may besufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary andnumerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readilyenvisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which areintended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A knife locking system comprising: a housing containing at least onecavity; at least one lockable case containing at least one sheath; atleast one pivoting means; wherein said at least one lockable case andsaid at least one pivoting means are coupled together and are locatedwithin said cavity of said housing for lockably storing at least oneknife
 2. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said pivoting meansfurther comprises a compressible spring.
 3. The knife locking system ofclaim 2 wherein said pivoting means and said compressible spring worksimultaneously when said knife is inserted into said lockable case tocreate at least one rotation.
 4. The knife locking system of claim 2wherein said pivoting means and said compressible spring worksimultaneously when said knife is withdrawn from said lockable case. 5.The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein said lockable case furthercomprises a peg.
 6. The knife locking system of claim 5 wherein said pegprevents said lockable case from moving.
 7. The knife locking system ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one shield.
 8. The knife lockingsystem of claim 3 wherein said pivoting means permits said lockable caseto pivot through an angle less than about 45 degrees.
 9. The knifelocking system of claim 1 wherein said at least one lockable case iscapable of being positioned within said at least one cavity in diagonalrelation to another of said lockable case.
 10. The knife locking systemof claim 1 wherein said at least one lockable case is capable of beingpositioned within said at least one enclosure parallel to another ofsaid lockable case.
 11. The knife locking system of claim 1 wherein saidat least one lockable case is capable of being positioned within said atleast one cavity in combinations of parallel and diagonal relationshipsto another of said lockable sheath.
 12. The knife locking system ofclaim 1 wherein said housing further comprises a stay.
 13. The knife andblock locking system of claim 12 wherein said stay is integral with saidcavity.
 14. The knife locking system of claim 12 wherein said stay isnon-integral with said cavity.
 15. The knife locking system of claim 12wherein said stay is perpendicular to said lockable sheath.
 16. A methodof storing a knife in a knife locking system comprising the steps of:inserting a knife into a lockable case herein said lockable case isenclosed within an cavity with an inner volume; depressing acompressible spring; pivoting said lockable case within said enclosure;and allowing said compressible spring to return to a state of tensioncreating a locking relationship between said lockable case and saidenclosure.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said locking relationshipis achieved with a peg and a stay.
 18. The method of claim 16 whereinsaid compressible spring is depressed allowing said peg to move underthen behind said stay.
 19. The method of claim 16 wherein unlockingcomprises depressing said compressible spring, rotating said means tomove said peg under then in front of said stay allowing the knife to beremoved.